Dispenser for pressure sensitive tape



April 15 1957 T. H. KRUEGER 2,788,944

DISPENSER EoR PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE Filed Jan. 7, 1953 .5.. (0 j. INVENTOR.

United States Patent O DISPENSER FOR PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford, Conn., assignor to Better Packages Incorporated, a corporation of New York Application January 7, 1953, Serial No. 330,087

3 Claims. (Cl. 242-555) 'I'his invention relates to means for dispensing tape or the like in strip form from rolls in which means are provided for slitting the tape into two or more narrow strips as it is dispensed.

The invention finds particular utility in connection with dispensers for dispensing pressure sensitive gummed tape. Rolls of tape during storage sometimes become deformed by the progressive lateral displacement of the layers of tape so that the roll assumes a cone-shape. This is known as coming and is an extremely common occurrence in the case of rolls of pressure sensitive adhesive tape. In such rolls, particularly in the larger diameters, coning is the rule rather than the exception, because during storage the tape gradually contracts so that the pressure between successive layers is increased. Al-so the pressure sensitive adhesive coating is in a permanently plastic condition and will ow under the influence of the increased pressure due to shrinkage. One layer will therefore become displaced slightly with respect to the layer under it, and the roll will therefore assume a marked cone formation. This presents serious diiliculties when it is attempted to dispense tape from such a deformed roll, and simultaneously sl-it the tape into two or more narrow strips. If the roll is mounted so as to rotate about a xed axial position, and the slitter or slitters are also mounted in fixed positions it will be seen that the position of the sl-itter or slitters with respect to the edges of the tape will change, depending upon the alignment of the part of the tape passing over the slitter. If the roll is aligned so that the slitter is central with respect to the strip of tape, for example where the tape leaves the outside of a coned roll, it will be seen that this position of the slitter will be far from the center of the tape after the roll is nearly used up. If a plurality of slitter knives are used, so as to cut very narrow tape strips one of the slitter knives might even escape the edge of the tape altogether.

The primary object of the present invention is to pro vide means for overcoming this defect and to properly compensate for the cone-shape of the roll so as to mainthe correct relationship between the slitter knife or knives and the tape being slit thereby. This is accomplished in the form of the invention disclosed by providing guiding means engaging the peripheral portion of the roll which maintains such engagement as the roll decreases in diameter irrespective of the coning of the roll. The roll is thus maintained in such a position that the strip of tape Withdrawn therefrom always passes over the slitter knife or knives in predetermined relationship to such knives.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following description of one preferred embodiment thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of the invention, parts being broken away.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig.

2,788,944 VPaiemed Apr. 16, 1957 1, showing the position of the roll at a time near the start of dispensing tape therefrom.

Figure 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the roll when the roll is nearly used up.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the mounting of the slitter knives.

Figure 5 is a section of the guide roller on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the invention is illustrated in connection with a so-called open face type of dispenser; although obviously it may be used with any type of dispenser.

The dispenser shown comprises a base 10 having a vertical supporting wall 12 mounted thereon. Mounted on a hinge pin 14 carried by the wall near the top thereof is a pendulum link 16 having a bearing stud or spindle 18 at the lower end thereof, on which is rotatably mounted a roll carrying spool 20. This may be of any suitable form adapted to support the core 22 of a roll of tape 24. In the form of the invention shown the spool is illustrated as of square shape and comprises a plate with two bent up portions 26, the edges of which form ribs over which the core 22 is slipped. The core should engage the ribs or corners of the plates rmly, but not so tightly that shifting of the core parallel with the axis of rotation Iis dicult. Obviously any other suitable form of spool might be utilized, the spool being itself mounted for axial movement on its stud or spindle if desired.

Fixed to the wall 12 adjacent to the roll of tape is a stud 28 having a guide roller 30 mounted thereon for free rotation. The guide roller 30 has shallow end anges 32 and 34 adapted to engage the outer margins of the sides of the roll of tape 24. The roller 30 is preferably made in two longitudinally adjustable parts, as shown for example in Fig. 5, so that the distance between the anges 32 and 34 may be adjusted to conform to the Width of the roll of tape being dispensed. As shown in Fig. 5 the flange 32 includes a roll part 36 from which projects a neck 38 of reduced diameter. Flange 34 forms part of a roll part 40 mounted on the neck 38 and held in adjusted position thereon by a set screw 42. The mounting of the tape spool on the pendulum link 16 allows the roll of tape to hang so that its periphery is in contact with the `guide roller 30, and embraced between the anges of the latter. This relationship is maintained as the roll decreases in size, owing to the action of gravity in swinging the pendulum 2link about its support 14.

The tape is drawn from the roll either manually or preferably by means of a suitable tape feeding element. In the construct-ion illustrated a feed wheel 44 is provided which is mounted for rotation on a stud 46 projecting from the wall 12 and is formed with spaced adhesion elements 48. This feed wheel is rotated by means of a ratchet lever 50 and a suitable cutter 52 may be provided if desired. The particular feed construction illustrated is similar to that disclosed in patent to Hillmer No. 2,509,- 641, but obviously other feed means may be used. The tape is pulled from the roller under considerable tension, and without `over-running, being maintained taut at all times. Y

Slitter means are provided between the supply roll and the feed Wheel. In the construction shown the slitter means comprises a plurality of slitter elements 54 mounted on a thumb screw 56 screwing into a stud 58. Each of the slitter elements shown comprises a pair of holder plates 60 and 62 between which are clamped a blade 64 which may be in the form of a conventional razor blade. The plate 62 is shown as provided around three sides with flanges 66. A single slitting knife may be provided, or a series of knives may be used, for example three, one or more of which may be adjusted to an inoperative positionby lloosening and thentightening the thumb screw (Fig. 4). Spacingringsorwashers-maybe placedhon the thumb screv.I 56 between the blade holders to space the blades as desired. The corners ot the slitter knives preferably engagethertapewhere it-passes 'over a slotted guide roller 68.

'Inl-the operation ofthe device; 'when anew Vroll oftape is to` be-insertedfin nthe-machine,"'it `is slipped overthe fspool' 2610 such a' position"asfwilbenable the edge of the roll to bei'received between the flanges on'theguide roller-'39. The Kposition ofthe'latter'is' te with 4relation to the position of the slitter and feed means, Y'and therefore determines'thepath" of 'feedof Vthe Atape sothat the tape is slit'on the proper line Aor'-'lines. lfrther'roll of tape lis coned, asshown' in? Fig.; 2yVV it *Willbe'observ'ed that the core of the tape roll lmisidisplacedon'the lspool from-the` positionwhicn' it'would occupy inV true alignment with theroller't) `ifthe tape"roll'were"at. This,however,2does not` prevent'theltape, whichis fed vfrom the outside of the' rollbetweenfthe-'angesiofthe Aguide roller, from followingthe'proper pathv with-respect to the slitter knives. VVAslthe roll--is=progressivelynnwound, its Vedge portions'willstill be' guided'betweeir the tianges on Ythe'guide roller; and Ythe'unwound-portion'of the roll will be causedrto slide' gradually Vaxially Voff-the spool, as indicated in Fig. 3. It-is possible to move' the Arollin this way, as it is a fairly' rm structure.

The tape web, however, after stripping from Ythe'roll is afragile web which couldnot' be Vguided-'andforeed without danger ofinjuryinto a predetermined path by rollers' or guides whichengaged` only therthindayer 'of tape and not thefirrrr edges 'of the-roll itself.

While oneV preferred embodiment of the-invention has been lillustrated and described inl detail; itis tobe understood-that changes maybe made therein and theinvention embodied in other structures. f lIt is notfthereforathe-intention to limit the patent tothespeeiic constructions illustrated, but to ,coverfthe'inventionbroadly in Whatever form its principler may be utilized.

l claim:

l. In a tapeV dispenser for tightly'wound Vrollsjof pressure sensitive adhesive tape in 'which' the rolls are subject to coning and in which Ysubstantial'force-isA required to separate the outery endet-tapeV from the underlying 'convolution of the roll as thetape isdiSpensedginV combination, a frame member, a'link'pivoted on theframe vvmember, a spool for a Vroll ot'tape rotatably Vmounted on ythan the width ofthe tape roll vand slidably'engageable f thereirith to provide freedom'tor axial movementof the core portion of the roll of tape, an axially immovable guide roller mounted for Vrotation about an axis parallel with and at one side Vof the axis about which a'roll of tape carrie-:l by said Spool will'rotate, saidguideroller having shallow' 'flanges adapted sto" close1y"engage "the .sides of a roll Yof tapev mounted onr said spool near the 'periphery'.of vsaid ro'll only; said link permitting gravity limpelled `movement `of the periphery 'ofthe roll toward "the guide roller Vso'that it will: maintain guiding lcontact with the nnerange faces of .the Yguide roller andwith the peripheryA ofY the roller'between' anges as vthetape is unwound and the roll decreases in size, andfeed means for withdrawing tape Vfrom the roll andv delivering it to, a dispensing point, while maintaining the tape taut between Vthe roll and the feed means.

2. In a dispenser for tightly wound rolls of pressure coning and in which substantial force is required to separate the outer end of tape from the underlying convolution of the roll as the tape is dispensed, in combination, a supporting spool for a roll of tape, said spool being constructed and arrangedlo .provide for rotation of the roll of tape about the axis of the spool and having surface portions .ofl greater;` axial extentthanrthe .ztapegrlli slidingly engageable by the tape rollio providereedom for movement oxthe coref portion of` the roll of ytapelinfan axial direction with respect toithe. spool axis, a' anged guide `rollerimounted adjacent tof-the periphery? ofathe roll of tape and having shallomanges. closely engaging the sides of the'roll'adjacent tofthek periphery thereof only, the guide roller being held ixedly against axial movement so that the core of the roll of tape is compelled by the roller to shift axially according to the measure .tof axial displacement of Y:the periphery ofthe roll .relative to'the core of theA rol-L'means' for mountingthe roll supporting Vspool and; the guide roller for relative movement towa'rd and from one another so as to permitfthe perpherybf the roll of tape to maintain guided-.contact with the guide 'roller'.flanges'and periphery as the tape Iis pulled'front the zroll; and feedmeans' for guidingtheitape to Yazdispensing point as it is withdrawn fromthe. roll andnraintaining the tape taut between the roll and the feed means.

3; In afdispenser for tightlywound rolls of pressure sensitive adhesive tape inewhichthe rolls are subject to coming andV in which a-str'aight pull involving VV.substantialY force is required to separate the tape fromther-underlying convolution 'ofthe roll. as .the-tape is'dispensed, and in' which bodily xed means are provided forslitting tape longitudinally as it is' dispensed, in combination, a supporting spool for a ,roll 'of tape, said'rspo'ol being constructed and arranged topro'vide for rotation lbf the roll 'of tape about the axis of the1spo`ol and having surface portions (of greater axial extent'.` thanithe Atape roll slidingly engaged vviththe roll to provide for movement of the roll of tape in anaxial direction .With'respect to thegspo'ol axis, a hanged gu-ide rollerV mounted vadjacent tothe periphery ofthe roll oftape and having shallow `flanges adjustable toward and from eachother in accordance withl the width of the .tape to"be`dispensed,.'said franges closely engaging the sides of'therol'l adjacent; to Vtheperiphery thereof only, means'mounting the roll supporting spool and guideroller forfrelative'. movement.toward one another so as to permit the periphery 'of the r'oll of. tape to maintainl guided'contactwiththe guide roller flanges and peripheryasthe' tape is p'illedfrom v.the roll, and feed means for4 guiding 'the tape to' a"'dis pensing point as it is withdrawn' from' the rolland' maintaining the tape taut .between the roll andi the feed means.

References Cited in the'leof ithis patent .UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,083,294 Parham Ian:.6,.1914 V,1,576,630 De Arana Mar. `1.6, 1926 1,647,881 Olsen HNOV. 1,- 1'927 1,734,643 Olsen Nov. ,5, :1.929 2,146,038 vWest .v Feb. 7,1:1-.939 v2,199,648 Parkhurst ,May. 7,. 1940 2,309,125 y'Krueger etal Jan'f26`11943 y2,592,786 Birr 4AprlTlS;195,2 

